Greenville's Reynolds named Comeback Athlete of the Year

Greenville wrestler Blake Reynolds has been selected as the Best of Varsity Cup Comeback Athlete of the Year.

Reynolds will be honored at the Best of Varsity Cup dinner June 23 at the Bayfront Convention Center.

Reynolds had a remarkable season considering what the senior 220-pounder had to go through to even reach the mat.

During the preseason, he won his weight class at the Cliff Keen Nationals in Iowa but suffered a torn shoulder labrum in the process.

In December, he was forced to use crutches for seven weeks after undergoing minor surgery to remove bone chips from his knee. He later dislocated his knee cap at practice. As a result, he missed the entire regular season.

“I really didn’t want him to compete this year, but he would not be deterred, ” said John Reynolds, Blake’s father.

Despite his shortened season, Reynolds returned for the Class 2A postseason and won Section 3, District 10 and Northwest Regional titles. Through those three tournaments, he posted nine straight victories, including seven pins and one major decision.

He then won his first two matches in Hershey — both by pins — to advance to the PIAA Class 2A semifinals. However, he re-injured his shoulder during a 7-4 loss in his semifinal match.

As a result of the injured shoulder, he forfeited his two consolation matches and placed sixth in Class 2A.

“He honestly was not close to 100 percent during his postseason run and fell short of his dream to win a state title, but he showed a ton of faith and grit by finishing,” John Reynolds said.

Blake Reynolds, who closed his high school career with 128 victories and three PIAA medals, underwent shoulder surgery on April 7.